Living with a Clear Conscience in Christ
Summary
Romans 14:13-23 calls for a life that is deeply attentive to the conscience—both our own and that of our brothers and sisters in Christ. The heart of the Christian life is not found in external matters like food, drink, or cultural rituals, but in righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. The conscience is a God-given inner witness, a kind of skylight that lets in the light of God’s truth, but it can be dulled or seared if we ignore it or justify our own desires. When the conscience is clear, it brings comfort even in the face of accusation; when it is troubled, it can be a relentless accuser.
Throughout history and in our own lives, we see how conscience can be shaped by upbringing, culture, and personal experience. Paul’s teaching in Romans and elsewhere shows that the church is a diverse body, with people coming from different backgrounds and sensitivities. Some are strong in their freedom, others are “wobbly” and need stricter boundaries, and some can become tyrannical, binding others’ consciences unnecessarily. The call is to prioritize the faith and well-being of others, not to flaunt our freedoms or impose our scruples, but to pursue what makes for peace and mutual upbuilding.
The Christian’s conscience is not a source of light itself, but a window for God’s light to shine through. It must be cultivated and kept clear, not just for our own sake, but for the sake of the community. The ultimate comfort for the conscience is found in the finished work of Christ. When the conscience accuses, the believer can plead the blood of Christ, knowing that justification and cleansing are found in Him alone. This is the foundation of true peace and joy: not a life free from messes or mistakes, but a life continually cleansed and renewed by Christ, lived out in service and responsibility to others.
Key Takeaways
- The conscience is a God-given inner witness that can either comfort or accuse, depending on how it is cultivated. It is not a source of light itself, but a skylight that lets in the light of God’s truth. If we ignore or dull our conscience, we risk losing sensitivity to God’s leading and truth. A clear conscience is a profound comfort, especially when facing misunderstanding or accusation from others. [03:59]
- Christian freedom is not about asserting our rights, but about prioritizing the faith and well-being of others. The strong in faith are called to consider the “wobbly” and not to put stumbling blocks in their way, while also avoiding the tyranny of binding others’ consciences unnecessarily. True maturity is seen in the willingness to limit our own freedoms for the sake of another’s spiritual health. This is the way of love and mutual upbuilding in the body of Christ. [18:05]
- The diversity of the church—across cultures, backgrounds, and personal histories—means that unity is not found in uniformity of practice, but in shared righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. The kingdom of God transcends cultural rituals and personal preferences, calling us to a deeper unity rooted in Christ. Our differences are not obstacles, but opportunities to display the reconciling power of the gospel. [15:41]
- Service in the body of Christ is not about personal passion or preference, but about responsibility and the willingness to build up others. The gifts and roles we have may change over time, but the call to serve remains constant. Joy is found not in self-fulfillment, but in the faithful, sometimes unnoticed, work of edifying the church and making space for others to encounter God. [28:06]
- The ultimate answer to a troubled conscience is the finished work of Christ. When accused by our own hearts, we can plead the blood of Jesus, who has entered the holy place once for all and secured our eternal redemption. In Him, we are justified, sanctified, and given peace and joy that the world cannot offer. This is the hope and comfort for every believer: a conscience cleansed and a life anchored in the faithfulness of Christ. [34:13]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:41] - Reading Romans 14:13-23
[01:25] - The Kingdom of God: Not Eating and Drinking
[02:38] - Jiminy Cricket and the Conscience
[03:59] - The Role and Nature of Conscience
[10:03] - Paul’s Clear Conscience Before Accusers
[11:44] - The Conscience as a Skylight
[12:24] - Cultivating a Conscience for Others
[15:41] - The Challenge of Blending Cultures in Christ
[18:05] - Strong, Wobbly, and Tyrannical Consciences
[20:07] - The Danger of Inflicting “Wobbliness”
[24:23] - Living Sacrifice and Mutual Upbuilding
[28:06] - Service, Responsibility, and Joy
[32:05] - Righteousness, Peace, and Joy in the Holy Spirit
[34:13] - The Cleansing of Conscience by Christ
[37:47] - Assurance and the Faithful High Priest
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: Romans 14:13-23 — Conscience, Freedom, and the Way of Love
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### Bible Reading
Romans 14:13-23 (ESV)
Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died. So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats. It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble. The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves. But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.
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### Observation Questions
1. According to Paul in Romans 14:13-23, what is the main reason believers should avoid putting a stumbling block in front of others?
2. What does Paul say the kingdom of God is really about, instead of eating and drinking?
3. In the sermon, what illustration was used to describe the conscience, and what does it mean? [[11:44]]
4. What are the three types of consciences described in the sermon, and how do they affect the church community? [[18:05]]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul emphasize not passing judgment on one another in matters of personal conviction? How does this relate to the idea of a “clear conscience”? [[03:59]]
2. The sermon describes the conscience as a “skylight” rather than a light source. What does this suggest about how we should treat our conscience and its role in our spiritual life? [[12:24]]
3. How can Christian freedom become a stumbling block for others, and what does true maturity look like according to the sermon? [[18:05]]
4. The sermon says the ultimate comfort for a troubled conscience is found in the finished work of Christ. How does this shape the way we respond to guilt or accusation? [[34:13]]
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### Application Questions
1. Think about a time when your own conscience was troubled or comforted. What did you do in response, and how did it affect your relationship with God and others? [[03:59]]
2. Are there areas in your life where you might be exercising your freedom in Christ without considering how it affects someone else’s faith? What is one practical way you could prioritize another’s spiritual well-being this week? [[18:05]]
3. The sermon talks about “wobbly” believers who need stricter boundaries. Have you ever been in a season where you needed more boundaries? How did others support or hinder you during that time? [[20:07]]
4. Is there a way you might be binding someone else’s conscience unnecessarily—expecting them to follow your personal convictions? How can you encourage unity without demanding uniformity? [[18:05]]
5. The sermon says service in the church is about responsibility, not just passion or preference. Is there a place in the church where you could serve, even if it’s not your “passion,” for the sake of building up others? [[28:06]]
6. When your conscience accuses you, do you tend to hide, justify yourself, or turn to Christ for cleansing? What would it look like to “plead the blood of Christ” in your daily life? [[34:13]]
7. The church is made up of people from many backgrounds and cultures. How can you help make your small group or church a place where differences are seen as opportunities for gospel unity, not obstacles? [[15:41]]
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Thank God for the gift of conscience, for the freedom we have in Christ, and for the finished work of Jesus that cleanses us. Ask for wisdom to build up others, to walk in love, and to keep a clear conscience before God and people.
Devotional
Day 1: Cultivating a Conscience that Prioritizes Others’ Faith
A cultivated conscience seeks not to pass judgment or put stumbling blocks in the way of fellow believers, but instead pursues peace and mutual upbuilding. In the body of Christ, our freedom is not a license to disregard the struggles or sensitivities of others; rather, we are called to act in love, sometimes setting aside our own preferences for the sake of a brother or sister’s spiritual well-being. This means being attentive to how our actions might affect those who are “wobbly” in their faith, and choosing the path that builds up rather than tears down. The kingdom of God is not about external rituals or cultural habits, but about righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit, lived out in community. [01:25]
Romans 14:13-23 (ESV)
Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died. So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats. It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble. The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves. But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.
Reflection: Is there a freedom you enjoy that might cause a brother or sister to stumble? How could you lovingly adjust your actions this week to prioritize their spiritual growth?
Day 2: The Conscience as God’s Skylight
The conscience is like a skylight, not producing its own light but allowing the light of God’s truth to shine into our hearts. When the skylight is clear, God’s light brings conviction, comfort, and guidance; but when we dull or shade it—by ignoring, excusing, or searing our conscience—we block out the transforming work God wants to do in us. A sensitive, cultivated conscience is a gift, helping us discern right from wrong and keeping us responsive to the Spirit’s leading. We are called to keep our skylight clean, letting God’s truth illuminate every part of our lives, so that we can walk in integrity and help others do the same. [12:24]
Romans 2:12-16 (ESV)
For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.
Reflection: In what area of your life have you been ignoring or dulling your conscience? What would it look like to let God’s light shine fully into that area today?
Day 3: The Power of a Cleansed Conscience through Christ
Through the blood of Christ, our consciences can be cleansed from guilt and condemnation, allowing us to stand before God with confidence and peace. The conscience, when left to itself, can accuse and condemn relentlessly, but Jesus, our great High Priest, has entered the holy place once for all, offering His own blood to secure our eternal redemption. In Him, we are justified, sanctified, and made pure—not by our own works, but by His sacrifice. This assurance gives us peace and joy, knowing that our hearts are sprinkled clean and we can draw near to God without fear. [37:47]
Hebrews 9:11-14; 10:19-23 (ESV)
But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.
Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.
Reflection: Is there a past sin or failure that still accuses your conscience? Take time today to bring it before Jesus, trusting His blood to cleanse and free you.
Day 4: Serving as Living Sacrifices in the Body of Christ
Being a living sacrifice means offering ourselves daily to God, not just in personal devotion but in practical service to others. Each member of the body of Christ has unique gifts and responsibilities, and true worship is found in using these for the upbuilding of the church. This requires humility, a willingness to set aside personal preferences, and a readiness to serve wherever needed—even in the small, unseen tasks. The Holy Spirit equips each believer for ministry, and as we serve, we help create a community where God’s word can take root and flourish in the lives of many. [28:06]
Romans 12:1-6 (ESV)
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them.
Reflection: What is one practical way you can serve someone in your church family this week, even if it means setting aside your own preferences or comfort?
Day 5: The Kingdom of God: Righteousness, Peace, and Joy
The true essence of God’s kingdom is not found in external rules or cultural practices, but in the righteousness, peace, and joy that come from the Holy Spirit. In Christ, we are justified and made right with God, given peace that surpasses understanding, and filled with joy that is rooted in the hope of eternal life. This reality transforms how we relate to God, ourselves, and others, freeing us from condemnation and equipping us to live with confidence and hope. The invitation is to live each day in the fullness of this kingdom, letting its reality shape every aspect of our lives. [34:13]
Philippians 2:9-11 (ESV)
Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Reflection: Where do you most need to experience God’s righteousness, peace, or joy today? Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you afresh and help you live out the reality of His kingdom.
Quotes
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